Gm 4.3 question need advice please

[nomochevys]

I have a 1996 GMC Sonoma with a 4.3. It has had nothing but Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 in it since the day it was new. The truck only has 70K miles on it now. It just gets used to move furniture ect.... We pull a small trailer with it also to haul lawn mowers ect when we need too. We use it to go the the dump ect....... Its just not driven very much.

I was changing oil around 5K back in the day when it got driven more. Now, The oil in it is over 2 years old but we have only driven the truck ab out 1500 miles or so. I think I am ok but... I have been thinking about going to conventional oil. Maybe Motorcraft or Pennzoil conventional? It sits outside all of the time. We just dont use it much.

I need your opinions. The truck runs as good as it did new but all the little stuff is haunting me. Typical GM.

 

[Bill in Utah]

If its seeing short trips then any 5w30 every 6 months will be fine. I'd not recommend anything else because of them.

I would be changing the oil more often than 2 years. Or 1 year. You need to get the water and by products out.

Take care, Bill

 

[Drew99GT]

We have a 98 Blazer with 230,000 miles that's kind of in the same boat. Sits outside and gets driven maybe once a week or less. I've only used conventional, so I usually change it come winter on a 1 year interval. Mileage usually ends up around 4,000. Although this year it's been driven a lot more.

I'd personally change it after 2 years. That oil is likely loaded with fuel and moisture if it's been driven all short trips.

 

[Chris142]

My boss drives a 95 Blazer with a 4.3 and 290K on it. It's only had conventional oil since new, mostly Pep Boys Proline. Ocasionally Napa if it's on sale. The engine runs fine and still passes California Emission tests. The rest of the truck is falling apart.

I'd say that the 4.3 will out last your truck body as well even with generic oil.

 

[BlazerLT]

For the cost, I would stick to a decent synthetic that will be able to handle long spells of not being used.

I prefer synthetic in your type of application. It is more stable.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: BlazerLT
It is more stable.


It's more stable just sitting there in the oil pan?

 

[Gene K]

Shell Rotella T5 10W30 Synthetic Blend every 36 months or 5,000 miles is what I would do in that kind of service. You could likely run that M1 a lot longer than you think.

5-6 year old, 8,860 Mile Mobil 1 Factory Fill originally posted by Whimsey:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post238633

 

[Manny_Ramirez]

Pyb once a year FTW!

 

[daves87rs]

Mobil 1 once a year would be fine....